Perfluoroctylbromide: Acute hemodynamic effects, in pigs, of intravenous administration compared with the standard ionic contrast media

Perfluoroctylbromide (PFOB) is a relatively new noniodinated contrast media that, after intravenous administration, produces prolonged opacification of the blood pool and subsequently selec-tively enhances the liver and spleen on computed tomography. There has been concern regarding the hemodynamic effect of this agent but little actual knowledge exists in this regard. Accordingly, the acute transient hemodynamic effects of PFOB emulsion were evaluated in five pigs and compared with the standard ionic contrast agent meglumine sodium diatrizoate (Renografin®-76). Left ventricular (LV) pressure, internal diameter, and wall thickness were monitored during the alternate intravenous administration of 930 mg/ml PFOB and 370 mg/ml R-76 at a rate of 20 mls/second for a total volume of 1 ml/kgbody weight. Renografin®-76 caused a significant decrease in LV pressure and dp/dt (rate of change of LV pressure), and an increase in LV end-systolic diameter and a decrease in LV end-diastolic wall thickness. PFOB caused no change in LV pressure and dimensions. Thus, rapid intravenous administration of PFOB does not induce significant acute alterations in left ventricular pressure, dp/dt, dimension, or wall thickness.